“A Tree Grows in Brooklyn”, written by Betty Smith, does not sugarcoat the hardship and struggles of the poor in early 20th century America. The plot line of a widowed mother trying to raise her children out of poverty is an intriguing idea and the reader soon becomes totally absorbed by the story. The main character, Francie Nolan, is a pragmatic, hard-working, and loving child who loves her family very much. She embraces her impoverished life and knows that if she wants to achieve her dreams, she has to work for them.
Francie lives in a small apartment with her brother, mother, and father in a poor neighborhood in Brooklyn. Everyday is a struggle, but they try to make the best of it mostly through the optimism of Francie’s parents sugarcoating their dire situations with stories and playacting. Throughout the book the idea that children have to grow up fast is implied repeatedly. The Tree of Heaven that grows outside Francie’s window is a metaphor for Francie and children of her situation. It grows quickly, but is strong and adaptable to any situation, like growing out of a crack in the sidewalk.  The children experience the hardship of being poor just as much as their parents do. To endure, they mature rapidly and are strong in spirit and resolve. One example of this is the Christmas tree incident. The Nolan family has never been able to afford a tree during Christmas. But, every year the man running the tree lot will give away a tree for free to whomever can catch one. The poor children flock to this event in hope to bring some joy of Christmas into their homes. Francie and her brother, Neeley, manage to catch one and drag it all the way up their apartment stairs to surprise their parents. When their mother, Katie, sees her battered and bloody children all because of a tree, she’s all the more determined to educate her kids and find a way out of their poverty-stricken life.
The book’s author, Betty Smith, did an amazing job on this book. The story of Francie and her family is compelling and never a bore. The in-depth backstories within the book build a relationship between the reader and the characters. The backstories also explain the characters’ personalities and decisions. For example, the story of how Katie and Johnny meet explains why she won’t ever leave him. The setting is also another very important part of the book. Everyone around the Nolan family lives in poverty. Betty Smith created this place where Francie experienced the life of poverty yet never knew loneliness or despair. In this place, Francie tried to live everyday with curiosity and a optimistic attitude. Because, in this life, there was no place for sadness or despair or one would end up like her father, Johnny, an alcoholic who died too young. For Francie, there was only hope and hard work. I thought the overall plot and style of the book was beautiful. Betty Smith’s writing and imagery kept me interested and the plot itself is well thought out. A girl, Francie, starts from almost nothing and sets out to achieve her dreams. There are hardships along the way, but she is tough and determined and has the support of her family and community.
I think that author, Betty Smith, chose to write about impoverished Irish Americans because she wanted other people to know what it was like to be an immigrant, to start from nothing, and what it was like to live life in poverty. Betty herself was a child of immigrant parents from Germany growing up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the same place Francie grew up.
Because of her backstory, Betty Smith wrote from personal experience and it shows through her writing. All in all, this book is a must read for all ages. The writing is very well done and I never wanted to put it down when I was reading it. I highly recommend this book and it might be one of the best books I’ve ever read. Francie is the Tree that grows in Brooklyn.